CVE-1999-1038 in Tiger
Summary
by MITRE
Tiger 2.2.3 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on various temporary files in Tiger's default working directory, as defined by the WORKDIR variable.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/17/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-1999-1038 represents a classic symlink attack scenario that exploited weak temporary file handling mechanisms within the Tiger web server version 2.2.3. This issue emerged from the fundamental security flaw in how the application managed temporary files during its operation, creating an exploitable condition that allowed local attackers to manipulate the filesystem through symbolic link manipulation. The vulnerability specifically targeted the WORKDIR variable which defined the default working directory where Tiger stored its temporary files, making the entire system susceptible to privilege escalation and file manipulation attacks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability relied on the predictable naming patterns of temporary files and the lack of proper security checks when creating or accessing these files. Attackers could create symbolic links with names that matched the expected temporary file names used by Tiger, effectively redirecting file operations to arbitrary locations on the filesystem. This type of attack falls under the category of time-of-check to time-of-use vulnerabilities where the application checked for file existence or permissions at one point but accessed the actual file at a later point when the symbolic link had been manipulated. The vulnerability demonstrates poor security practices in temporary file creation and management that aligns with CWE-377 - Insecure Temporary File creation and CWE-378 - Creation of Temporary File With Insecure Permissions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extended beyond simple file overwriting capabilities, as it provided attackers with the means to escalate privileges and potentially gain unauthorized access to system resources. Local users who could execute commands on the system could leverage this weakness to overwrite critical system files, configuration files, or even files owned by other users with elevated privileges. The attack vector was particularly dangerous because it required minimal privileges to execute and could be combined with other exploitation techniques to achieve more significant system compromise. This vulnerability highlighted the importance of proper temporary file handling in server applications and demonstrated how seemingly minor implementation flaws could result in substantial security breaches.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability required immediate patching of the Tiger web server to implement secure temporary file creation mechanisms that would prevent symbolic link attacks. Organizations needed to ensure that temporary files were created with proper permissions and that the application validated file access before performing operations on them. The recommended approach involved using secure temporary file creation functions that would not allow symbolic link resolution to affect the intended file operations. Security practitioners should have implemented monitoring for suspicious file access patterns and ensured that the WORKDIR variable was properly configured to prevent predictable temporary file names. This vulnerability reinforced the need for adherence to security best practices such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and demonstrated the critical importance of proper input validation and file system access controls. The incident served as a reminder that even legacy systems required regular security assessments and that temporary file handling remained a critical area for security consideration in application development.